January Loves

Beauty is the focus for this month. I'm in need of facials, smoothening balms and a core make-up kits that will ease me into the summer months. The masters of make-up, MAC, really delivered this year (along with the mother!) and I received the Christmas collection set as seen above. This set contains an eye shadow palette (black and white sheen), which I've been using as a highlighter on the brow bone and to compliment a dusty eye affect. Along with this the set also has Pro Pencil Eyeliner in Engraved,Jet Black Mascara and a beautiful black oval cosmetic bag. Blue eyeliner is a massive trend set to hit the beauty world for the coming season, so I managed to do some research for my perfect blue over Christmas. And although I went with MAC Pro Pencil in Mountain Air, Butter is brand which I've only heard great things about and would highly recommend for bold, bright colours. 

Contouring is a brand new feature to my life and after waisting alot of money, and patience, I think I've finally settled on the best approach fo me to take, based on my tone and skin type. More to come on this later in the month along with a feature on MAC Pro-longwear foundation.

As January is such a crap month, financially and socially, I've been spending a lot of nights in. Ideal for catching up on boxets that I've been meaning to watch over the past few months.  At the minute I'm hooked on Sons Of Anarchy (season 5!!!). But candles, candles are the main highight of my cosy nights in. Already a fan of low, dusty lighting, I strongly believe that these just so much more of a relaxed athmosphere to any room. My fave are Yankee Candles, ovbiously. 

All iteams, including links to buy, can be found here

Love C X

The Editorial Edit #1

Ive always been very honest about using this blog as an expressive platform to voice my personal opinions of certain styles, trends, fashion collections, beauty products etc, I sometimes feel I cover a bit too much! I tend to be more specific in other projects but Factory F covers a vast range of beauty and fashion. In more recent times, perhaps a year, I have focused a lot of my time looking at campaigns from various different brands; how they work, what's the message, what's different, who cares about this campaign, who does it resonate with, how does it make them feel? Basically, dissecting marketing methods from afar. I've never done much with this information but simply just thought about it, but recently I thought It might make a nice additional feature to Factory F. 

You may be wondering what is the point of this, and to tell you the truth it's exactly like every other aspect of this blog, it's about sharing my opinions, thoughts and passions with you. It may also bring to light some brands that you may not be aware of or a new collection that you haven't yet seen. Naturally, I will share some actual real lIfe campaigns that I'm working on with my job but I won't dive straight into that. For this post I decided to talk about why I think editorials are such an important addition to brands, and personally I think a large factor is to visual resonate with people much more because it gives the  story of that brand or product. It's completely fair to say at this point that a press release also does that, but (and I say as someone who works in PR) does the image featured above not tell you more about message of that editorial and clothing rather than a paragraphs explaining where the clothes come from and what they should represent? 

 A lot of the images that I will share with you in this additional feature will come from publications as it will be these title editorials and featured advertising that I will be taking about. As a side note to this story, I recently. Started to download my favourites monthlys instead of popping down to the shop to buy them. Why did I start this I can hear you ask? Well, one of my personal highlights to read every month is Company magazine which has now transformed to a completely digital magazine. At first I was a bit unsure if how I felt about that because I love reading a physical copy in front of me but I've been readjusting. Actually that's putting it mild, I've been completely transformed into digital editions; Vogue, Elle, Company, Red, Marie Claire.... The list goes on but they all now get the download on my ipad each month. One major reason for my change of heart is down to the technical features! A major role within my job in social media and when I saw how interactive and social friendly these apps are made me realise that I'm actually not really on top of this digital age after all. Inspiration has  been restored! 

                                         I can't wait to share the first in this new series very soon. 

                                                                               Love C X 

So, Factory F moves to London

I'm home! The past few months have been nothing short of manic, from work to settling in London and just enjoying life in a new city, I haven't really stopped. I've decided to take a few weeks to just chill out and relax, definitely well needed. Although the theme of this blog is primarily fashion and beauty, this post is slightly different. This is going to be more of an update on what I've been up to and I have to say, some of it has been really exciting!

Firstly, as I mentioned in a previous post I started working for two hair care brands at the beginning of the year; Goldwell & KMS California. This has been a really exciting and so far my role as PR & Comms  has been great. Working for such an established brand has allowed me to work on some really creative and large scale events; London Fashion Week being massive highlight for me.

Our brand sponsored the Bora Aksu show on day one at Somerset House. As this was my first time as LFW, I wasn't too sure what to expect but working backstage was definitively a privileged insight into understand the one of fashions most prestigious events. Meeting press, bloggers and stylists which I have admired from afar for years was overwhelming in the best way. Along with working backstage, sitting in the second row of one of the most talked about shows at this years fashion week topped this exceptional experience. The hair for the Bora Aksu show was styled by Sam Burnett, KMS California Ambassador. Read all bout the show and how to get the look here. 

So besides work London has been an adventure. After 7 months of living here I'm happy to be getting back into the swing of Factory F and returning to something that I love. I'm really excited to start sharing what life has been like over here; from fashion to food to art and back to fashion again. I suppose this has been a natural progression for this blog as interests have broadened since this blog first began a year ago. Fashion will remain my main focus but elements of lifestyle will drip feed through from time to time. Overall I feel this will be a positive change for me and for the future of Factory F.

Looking forward to sharing more exciting news with you

Love C X 

Bomber Reboot

 

So we've had an influx of the 90's revival over the past year! From joggers, to scrunchies and back to high waisted denims. And thankfully, it seems that it's not going anywhere soon. I was very sceptical to believe that this trend would become as big as it has, thankfully I was wrong! The multitude of colours and prints that are available were definitely a bargaining factor for me when I was debating weather I should buy one of not, I obviously gave in and bought a floral option from Primark. I tend to try out something with a Primark version before I commit to the cost of a better quality option. 

Street style is a massive inspiration personally, and teaming bombers with basics is a look that I'm loving!! Bringing back the summer classic of maxi skirts and simple tanks, as well as going crazy with accessories is what I love.I recently took some street style images (as part of my job) and came across one girl called Rachel who literally just pinned this look perfectly. Just a simple black dress and silk vintage pattern bomber. Very similar to the image above actually.

  Black is obviously a colour that goes with everything, I mean try name one thing that it doesn't go with... Okay, navy! But still, I think sometimes black and navy work. So basically, it goes with everything, but the point I'm trying to make is that is that it particularly works with the vintage bomber. 

Below are current options available at Primark which I love, just incase you want to take a leaf out of my book and try the cheaper options before commiting to the higher priced options. Also, they are both just beautiful designed and at 15 pounds! #Bargain 

I have the floral option but getting the black one next :) 

Love C X 

Fancy a trip to LFW??

For those of you who are regulars to this blog, you may have remember me briefly speaking about my new job, but now I'm going to tell you a little bit more about it! So I work for two hair brands; Goldwell & KMS California. I reason why I'm breaking the silence a bit on the this topic and giving some more information is because KMS California have launched such an amazing competition that I had to share it with you guys. Basically, KMS are giving a lucky Pinterest follower the most amazing LFW prize I've ever seen! Unfortunately I can't enter because of my association with the company but just listen to this for a prize; 

•                     Two Tickets to the Bora Aksu London Fashion Week how taking place in                          London in September 2014 (Please note that the exact date of the show will be announced nearer to the event)
• Lunch for two (2) at Hawksmoor, supplied via a gift card to the value of £150.
• Manicures & Champagne for the winner and their guest on the day of the Bora Aksu show at MW Nails at Spitalfields Market.
• Hair Styled for the winner and their guest at the KMS California Academy in London on the day of the Bora Aksu show.
• Return standard train or coach travel from any location for the winner and their guest within the United Kingdom.
• One night stay the night before the Bora Aksu show at a four star (4*) hotel  in London for the winner and their guest
• A driver for the day of the show to transport the winner and their guest.
• £1,000 spending money

- See more here for all T&C's 

Here's how you can enter; 

1.Follow KMS California on Pinterest

2. Create your board title, KMS California & My London Fashion Week Style

3. Start pinning your favourite style pictures and add #kmscalifornia in the description of each picture for a chance to win

Have you seen my board? 

Join in on the Pinterest Party here; KMS California on Pinterest

Love C X  

Street Style #2: Denim

So for the second installment of this street style segment, I have decided to focus my attention to some denim love. Ripped denim has taken over my fashion vision, it's all I want. I have spotted some amazing black pairs in Zara but I am consistently on the lookout for a great pair. Have you bought any lately?? Where have you spotted the best jeans??

Here are my favourite street style snaps from this week.

Love C X 

Street Style #1

So when it comes to fashion inspiration I always find myself most innovated by street style. When I'm on social media it tends to be all I look up. So to put all my hours spent doing this to use I decided to feature some of my favorites with you guys. Every week I will share five of the best street style snaps that I have come across. Lately I've been loving laid back, casual styling and this is very much reflected in the images below. As part of my new job I will be sourcing amazing street styles throughout London and may feature some on this blog so keep an eye out. Hope you enjoy this weeks looks.   

Love C X 

Festival Fever

With Coachella done and dusted for another year, it really does cement the beginning of festival season 2014. When I first began my blog, almost a year ago, my favourite topic to write about (and still is) festival style/boho chic, the hippy genre. I loved the laid back, effortless approach and honestly, I would dress this way everyday if I could. But unfortunately I can't! So I talk about this as much as I can and that's how I get my fix! Over the next few weeks/months I feel festival topics will appear on every blog, fashion magazine/website that we come across, it's just that time of the year. The good thing is I don't know anyone who doesn't like to hear about it :) I will be focusing my attention to boho inspirations, styles I'm loving & looks that I have spotted. I will do this by carrying out the posts festival specific, this is just a small warm up to the season approaching us. 

What festivals are you heading to this summer?

Love C X 

Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Side Walk to the Cat Walk

So this week I got the opportunity to go to the brand new Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Barbican  in central London, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. The renowned designer in known for his quirky sense of fashion design, highlighting his devotion to French couture and admiration from celebrity cults. This exhibition showcases his lifeline work within the industry, it's more or less a time capsule of his career and it certainly does not disappoint. I did some research before attending the show and Gaultier expressed how he wanted the audience to feel connected to him while there, to feel his presence and understand his creations. This is expressed through the talking mannequins, which look really, really life like. I genuinely thought they were real people. This show not only allows you to look at the wonderful designs that the fashion mogul has out together but you really get an understanding for the story of Gaultier. 

                            

 
 
 
 
 

Love C X